Strap detachable portable basketball system

ABSTRACT

A strap detachable portable basketball system includes a backboard. A rim assembly is on a front surface of the backboard. A mechanism on a rear surface of the backboard is for retaining the backboard in a height adjustable stabilizing manner onto an upstanding host structure. The mechanism includes two pair of ratcheting straps and an offset mounting shoe coated with durable rubber padded material for anti-slippage, anti-bouncing, and anti-shaking.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/295,698, filed on Jan. 16, 2010, in the United States Patent & Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a basketball goal assembly, and more particularly, a strap detachable portable basketball system.

The strap detachable portable basketball system allows users to easily transport and install a basketball assembly on any upstanding host structure, such as a residential streetlight, telephone pole, utility pole, or tree. The system gives the user greater flexibility to play or practice the game of basketball in areas where it was not previously plausible. The backboard can be installed without the use of tools and without incurring damage to the upstanding host structure. Attaching the system to a streetlight will allow for night play as the light will illuminate the backboard, rim assembly, and playing area. The system can be adjusted in height, tailoring the game to suit individual playing needs and preferences. The system is ideal for anyone looking to play or practice the game of basketball.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Height-adjustable basketball devices on the market today are commonly designed for use in a residential driveway. These devices have limited mobility and often become permanent fixtures. Other portable devices typically include a hollow base to receive a ballast material. The base may be filled with sand, water, or other weighty substance. Filling the base makes the device extremely difficult to move and it may require multiple individuals to transport the unit. Having to fill and empty the base is time consuming and inconvenient. These devices are also difficult to store when not in use. Few people have garages or sheds spacious enough to accommodate the twelve foot device. A more efficient alternative is necessary.

Numerous innovations for portable basketball backboard and hoop devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 5,813,929, issued on Sep. 29, 1998, to Tobin teaches a new portable hoop and backboard assembly that is easily installed and disassembled. The inventive device includes a rim, a light weight backboard that is equipped with bendable protrusions to stabilize the assembly, straps for attaching the backboard, and a rim that is collapsible.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 5,827,136, issued on Oct. 27, 1998, to Halter et al. teaches a children's basketball backboard and hoop assembly that includes a backboard and a hoop having a rim which is pivot ably attached to the backboard, and a net attached to the rim. The assembly further includes an enlarged secondary training rim pivot ably attached to the backboard for movement between an operative playing position wherein the secondary rim is located above the hoop rim in substantially parallel relation to the hoop rim, and a storage position generally parallel to the backboard. The hoop rim is pivot ably attached to the backboard for movement between an operative playing position wherein the rim extends substantially perpendicular to the backboard and a storage position wherein the rim is positioned in closely spaced parallel relation to the backboard. When the secondary training rim is moved to the storage position it is received within a recess extending along an upper peripheral edge of the backboard. The basketball backboard and hoop assembly also includes one set of straps for releasably securing the backboard to a door, and a second set of straps for releasably securing the backboard to a vertical post. The enlarged secondary hoop is intended to be used by relatively young children to guide stray balls downwardly into the hoop, thereby increasing the chances of making a basket.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2004/0035035, published on Feb. 26, 2004, to Morris et al. teach a sign for display on a basketball backboard which includes a substantially rigid sheet of material having indicia to be displayed on a front surface thereof. The sheet of material includes a notch formed in a lower edge of the sheet of material for engaging rim. When the sign is mounted on the backboard with the rim disposed in the notch, one or more attachment devices secure the sheet to the backboard. Various attachment devices including straps, hooks, and elastic cords are disclosed. At least some of the attachment devices are reversible, such that either side of the sign can be displayed.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2004/0185970, published on Sep. 23, 2004, to Nye et al. teach a basketball backboard that may include one or more weights disposed proximate the perimeter of the backboard in order to enhance the rebounding characteristics of the backboard. In particular, a first weight may be positioned proximate a first side of the backboard and a second weight may be positioned proximate a second side of the backboard in order to enhance the rebounding characteristics of the backboard. Advantageously, the weights may be positioned internally within the backboard or the weights may be positioned externally to the backboard. In addition, the weights may be selectively or permanently attached to the backboard, and the weights may also be sized and configured to increase the rigidity of the basketball backboard.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2004/0195488, published on Oct. 7, 2004, to Baldasari teaches a breakaway basketball goal system for absorbing shocks during playing conditions. In embodiments of the invention, the basketball goal system includes a base, a neck movably coupled to the base, a backboard attached to a distal end of the neck, and a shock-absorbing mechanism that permits a neck, backboard and rim to move downward to absorb severe shocks, and that may automatically return them to their playing position. The shock-absorbing mechanism can include a housing disposed on a rearward side of a mounting post, a shock absorber, a guide attached to a movable end of the shock absorber, and a cable connecting the guide to the neck. In embodiments of the invention, the backboard extends a horizontal distance from the base to provide a safe playing area.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,281,999, issued on Oct. 16, 2007, to Miller et al. teaches an indoor basketball backboard and hoop positioned in an unfolding mode in a cater-corner orientation to maximize play area and in proximity to a door to cause opening movement of the door to restore by folding the backboard and hoop into a flat storage condition on the back of the door.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for basketball backboard and hoop devices have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a strap detachable portable basketball system that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a strap detachable portable basketball system that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a strap detachable portable basketball system that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a strap detachable portable basketball system which comprises a backboard. A rim assembly is on a front surface of the backboard. A mechanism on a rear surface of the backboard is for retaining the backboard in a height adjustable stabilizing manner onto an upstanding host structure.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention per se;

FIG. 2 is a side view taken in the direction of arrow 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view taken in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 2, with the straps removed there from;

FIG. 4 is a side view taken in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 1, showing the present invention installed on a an upstanding host structure; and

FIG. 5 is a top view taken in the direction of arrow 5 in FIG. 4, with the rim of the hoop assembly broken away.

REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

-   110 strap detachable portable basketball system -   112 backboard of system 110 -   114 rim assembly of system 110 -   116 front surface of backboard 112 -   118 retaining mechanism of system 110 -   120 rear surface of backboard 110 -   122 upstanding host structure -   124 marginal flange of backboard 112 -   126 reinforcing rib of backboard 112 -   128 pivot of rim assembly 114 -   130 offset mounting shoe of retaining mechanism 118 -   132 concave rear face of offset mounting shoe 130 -   134 convex surface of upstanding host structure 122 -   136 slotted strap spine of retaining mechanism 118 -   138 strap of retaining mechanism 118 -   140 ratcheting mechanism on strap 138 -   142 hoop of rim assembly 114 -   144 durable padded material on concave rear face 132

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

As shown in FIG. 1: a strap detachable portable basketball system 110 which comprises a backboard 112. A rim assembly 114 is on a front surface 116 of the backboard 112. A mechanism 118 on a rear surface 120 of the backboard 112 is for retaining the backboard 112 in a height adjustable stabilizing manner onto an upstanding host structure 122.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3: The backboard 112 comprises a marginal flange 124 integrally formed onto the rear surface 120 of the backboard 112. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 126 are integrally formed onto the rear surface 120 of the backboard 112 between the marginal flange 124 to rigidify the backboard 112 and eliminate dead spots. The rim assembly 114 is pivotably attached at pivot 128 to the front surface 116 of the backboard 112 for movement between an operative playing position, wherein the rim assembly 114 extends outwardly and substantially perpendicular to the front surface 116 of the backboard 112 and a storage position, wherein the rim assembly 114 is positioned in a closely spaced parallel relation to the front surface 116 of the backboard 112.

The retaining mechanism 118 comprises an offset mounting shoe 130 secured to the rear surface 120 of the backboard 112. The offset mounting shoe 130 has a concave rear face 132 to engage with a convex or curving surface 134 of the upstanding host structure 122. At least four slotted strap spines 136 are spaced apart and secured to the rear surface 120 of the backboard 112. Two slotted strap spines 136 are located near the top and the other two slotted strap spines 136 are located near the bottom of the backboard. At least two straps 138 are provided which freely slides through the at least four slotted strap spines 136 to wrap about the upstanding host structure 122. The at least two straps 138 comprises a ratcheting mechanism 140 to quickly tighten and loosen the at least two straps 138 about the upstanding host structure 112.

The backboard 112 is thirty six inch by forty eight inch fan shaped composite backboard. The backboard 112 is comprised out of material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, polycarbonate, acrylic, blow molded high density polyethylene and blow molded plastic. The rim assembly 114 comprises a hoop 142 which is measured eighteen inches in diameter and is comprised out of a steel material.

The offset mounting shoe 130 is comprised out of a high density polyethylene foam material or as a second option to the offset mounting shoe 130, it may be molded in conjunction with the backboard 112 utilizing the same composite materials making it a permanent part of the backboard 112 and may be honeycombed to reduce overall weight and manufacturing costs. The concave rear face 132 of the offset mounting shoe 130 is permanently coated with a durable padded material 144, so as to inhibit damage to the upstanding host structure 122. The durable padded material 144 is comprised out of elastomeric synthetic rubber which will minimize the shaking, bouncing and slipping of the backboard 112 during game play. The at least two straps (two straps total) 138 is comprised out of material selected from the group consisting of polyester and nylon.

In review the portable basketball system 110 can be mounted to virtually any upstanding host structure 122. The system 110 can be quickly and easily raised or lowered to any height to accommodate players of various ages, heights, and skill levels. The retaining mechanism 118 is specifically designed for securing and removing the backboard 112 to the upstanding host structure 122.

In FIG. 4: The backboard 112 is thirty six inch by forty eight inch fan shape composite backboard. The system 110 may be made of fiberglass, polycarbonate, acrylic, blow molded high density polyethylene or blow molded plastic. The rear surface 120 of the backboard 112 houses reinforcing ribs 126, slotted strap spines 136, offset mounting shoe 130 and two quick release polyester or nylon straps 138. The steel hoop 142 of the rim assembly 114 is eighteen inches in diameter and may include an all weather nylon net attached thereto (not shown).

The system 110 provides the molded composite backboard 112 in which a network of the intersecting reinforcing ribs 126 is superposed in a rectangular and diagonal grid on the rear surface 120 of the backboard 112 to rigidify the backboard 112 and eliminate dead spots. A plurality of the reinforcing ribs 126 and four slotted strap spines 136 radiate from the offset mounting shoe 130 and extend to a marginal flange 124 along the periphery of the backboard 112.

The slotted strap spines 136 are integral in the connection between the straps 138 and backboard 112 and are slotted and reinforced for accepting the set of straps 138 for installation of the backboard 112 to the upstanding host structure 122. Each of the two the straps 138 slide freely through each set of the slotted strap spines 136 for adjustment and ideal placement of the ratcheting mechanisms 140 during attachment to the upstanding host structure 122 which can have different radiuses. The diameter of the upstanding host structure 122 in which the backboard 112 is mounted to shall not be limited and is only limited by the length of the straps 138 used.

The offset mounting shoe 130 is generally rectangular in shape with a rear face 132 thereof presenting a concave configuration. This configuration enables the offset mounting shoe 130 to nest snuggly against a convex surface 134 of the upstanding host structure 122. The concave rear face 132 of the offset mounting shoe 130 may be permanently fitted with a durable padded material 144 so as to inhibit damage to the upstanding host structure 122. This may be an elastomeric material such as a synthetic rubber which also minimizes hoop shake, bounce and slippage during game play. The offset mounting shoe 130 may be removable from the backboard 112 or permanent in nature and manufactured from high density polyethylene foam or other similar suitable materials. As a second option to the offset mounting shoe 130, it may be molded in conjunction with the backboard 112 utilizing the same composite materials making it a permanent part of the backboard 112 and may be honeycombed to reduce overall weight and manufacturing costs.

The hoop 142 of the rim assembly 114 can be non-folding or have the option to pivotally move at the pivot 128 on a front surface 116 of the backboard 112 from an extended playing position where the hoop 142 is generally disposed perpendicular (ninety degrees or 90°) to the front surface 116 of the backboard 112 during game play and retracted into a position where the hoop 142 is generally disposed parallel (flush) to the front surface 116 of the backboard 112 for compacted travel and storage.

In FIG. 5: The system 110 is releasably coupled to the upstanding host structure 122 with a pair of the straps 138. A ratcheting mechanism 140 is connected to each of the straps 138 and is adapted to be selectively wrapped about the upstanding host structure 112. The ratcheting mechanism 140 is operated to selectively tighten the straps 138 about the upstanding host structure 122, to hold the strap detachable portable basketball system 110 in a strapped condition. The use of ratcheting straps 138 allows much more force to be applied than is possible with a conventional pull-strap so the straps 138 can hold the backboard 112 more stable. In the strapped condition, the two straps 138 and offset mounting shoe 130 sandwich the upstanding host structure 122 there between. When the release of the ratcheting mechanisms 140 are activated the straps 138 will loosen allowing the user to quickly adjust the backboard 112 on the upright host structure 122 or relocate the portable basketball system 110 completely. Each of the ratcheting straps 138 is one yard in length. The backboard 112 is about 0.5 inch to one (01) inch in thickness.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a strap detachable portable basketball system, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

1. A strap detachable portable basketball system which comprises: a) a fan shaped composite backboard having a front surface and a back surface; b) a rim assembly is attached on a front surface of the backboard; c) a marginal flange integrally formed onto the rear surface of the backboard; d) an offset mounting shoe secured to the rear surface of the backboard, the offset mounting shoe having a concave rear face to engage with a convex surface of an upstanding host structure; and e) means, on a rear surface of the backboard, for retaining the backboard in a height adjustable stabilizing manner onto the upstanding host structure.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the backboard further comprises: a network of intersecting reinforcing ribs integrally formed in a rectangular and diagonal grid onto the rear surface of the backboard between the marginal flange to rigidify the backboard and eliminate dead spots.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the rim assembly is pivotably attached to a pivot in the front surface of the backboard for movement between an operative playing position, wherein the rim assembly extends outwardly and substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the backboard and a storage position, wherein the rim assembly is positioned in a closely spaced parallel relation to the front surface of the backboard.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises: a) at least four slotted strap spines spaced apart and secured to the rear surface of the backboard; wherein two slotted strap spines are located near the top of the backboard and the other two slotted strap spines are located near the bottom of the backboard, and b) at least two straps which freely slides through the at least four slotted strap spines to wrap about the upstanding host structure.
 5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least two straps comprises a ratcheting mechanism to quickly tighten and loosen the at least two straps about the upstanding host structure.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the backboard is thirty six inch by forty eight inch fan shaped composite backboard.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the backboard is comprised out of material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, polycarbonate, acrylic, blow molded high density polyethylene and blow molded plastic.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the rim assembly comprises a hoop which measures eighteen inches in diameter and is comprised out of a steel material.
 9. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the offset mounting shoe is comprised out of a high density polyethylene foam material.
 10. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the offset mounting shoe is molded in conjunction with the backboard utilizing the same composite materials making it a permanent part of the backboard and is honeycombed to reduce overall weight and manufacturing costs.
 11. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the concave rear face of the offset mounting shoe is permanently coated with a durable padded material, so as to inhibit damage to the upstanding host structure.
 12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the durable padded material is comprised out of elastomeric synthetic rubber which will minimize the shaking, bouncing and slipping of the backboard during game play.
 13. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least two straps is comprised out of material selected from the group consisting of polyester and nylon.
 14. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein each of the ratcheting straps is one yard in length.
 15. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the backboard is about 0.5 inch to one (01) inch in thickness. 